December 31, 2009 doesn’t just mark the last day of the year, it also marks the end of a decade. Ten years ago on this day, our biggest concern worldwide was the threat of Y2K and the possibility of all our computers crashing down. Ten years later, the biggest concern worldwide has been terrorism. What a different world we live in today. The biggest event on this globe in this passing decade without question was the terrorist attacks on our country on September 11, 2001. Since that day, everything in our lives have changed, especially those in the fire service. We lost 343 of our brothers on that tragic day and it would be unjust of me to not acknowledge their contributions to firefighting. They did not die in vain. Firefighters all over have made great strides in the last ten years improving their training, their safety and their “tools of the trade”. We truly are an organization that is definitely prepared and ready to face any challenge before us. 

This past year, the members of The Dumont Fire Department contributed over 12,000 man-hours to the residents of this wonderful town. They responded to close to 400 runs, ranging from fire alarms, to motor vehicle accidents, to working fires and many mutual aid responses and special calls for service. A new Fire Chief’s vehichle was purchased in 2009.  A 2009 Dodge Durango was purchased  to replace the 1997 GMC Yukon, which will continue to serve the borough with the DPW. The DFD has continued once again to show their strong desire to serve and be apart of this community. In 2009, many members came out on multiple occasions to take part in community functions including the annual Memorial Day Parade, the Dumont Police’s D.A.R.E. graduation, the day spent with the kids at the Summer Recreation, the St. Baldrick’s fundraiser in Cresskill, the annual Dumont Day events, the Fire Prevention week at the schools and also Squad One held a recycling drive and a haunted house on Halloween which was free to the public. So besides responding to the many emergency calls we are summoned to each year, we also give our time over and over again. They are a truly dedicated group of individuals and have reserved the right to hold their heads up high.

With all that being said and I am sure I left plenty out, I wish you all a happy and healthy new year and all the best in this new decade!!! 

 
Matthew Banta
Webmaster